Optimization of the Observing Cadence for the Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time: a pioneering process of community-focused experimental design

TL;DR

This paper discusses the collaborative process behind optimizing the observing schedule for the Rubin Observatory's decade-long survey, balancing core science goals with community input to maximize scientific return.

Contribution

It presents the community-driven approach and decision-making process used to optimize the survey cadence for the Rubin Observatory's Legacy Survey of Space and Time.

Findings

Community involvement shaped the survey strategy

Flexible scheduling enhances science potential

Decision process balances diverse scientific priorities

Abstract

Vera C. Rubin Observatory is a ground-based astronomical facility under construction, a joint project of the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy, designed to conduct a multi-purpose 10-year optical survey of the southern hemisphere sky: the Legacy Survey of Space and Time. Significant flexibility in survey strategy remains within the constraints imposed by the core science goals of probing dark energy and dark matter, cataloging the Solar System, exploring the transient optical sky, and mapping the Milky Way. The survey's massive data throughput will be transformational for many other astrophysics domains and Rubin's data access policy sets the stage for a huge potential users' community. To ensure that the survey science potential is maximized while serving as broad a community as possible, Rubin Observatory has involved the scientific community at large in the process of setting and refining the details of the observing strategy. The motivation, history, and decision-making process of this strategy optimization are detailed in this paper, giving context to the science-driven proposals and recommendations for the survey strategy included in this Focus Issue.